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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1946-09-19, Page 7O ESI OKZuSSZSSISSO ESSO :orao;aoExior IOEZXG1: By WALLACE K. NORMAN away a wisp of barrage of general I am telling you an untruth? That I am—lying?” Xerxes said ■because on .the same with he said. villages officer the misshapen mud hovels, for a mouse in a rab- picked up the flagging in a most unexpected not hear from ihead- captain fumed irri- Highway north tp way No. a seething maelstrom thoughts, Xerxes re- later hori- dbwn hurt flame brought a bang, had to posts brought mental balm. ■Sgt. Klaumer and at mess sundown 'field uni- go into AWAY IN SARNIA Richardson passed A moment later he was made uncomfortable or so without her by up >> sharply. THE TIMES-ADVOCATE, EXETER, ONTARIO, THURSDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 19ft, 1946 The story thus far; Bill Harvey, alias Lieut, Xerxes Benedict, enlist­ ed in the French Foreign Legion to escape the aftermath of a dishon­ orable discharge from West Point. He is in Tlaba, anticipating a native uprising under Aben-el-Akr. He sus­ pects the native tribes are joining forces. In a Tlaba cafe he is sur­ prised to meet an American girl, Constance Barteau, who is with her brother, a curio buyer. Constance questions him about the presence of the Legion, is deeply interested .in. his answers, Later, Xerxes sees her with Curt* Sawyer, the man whose perjured testimony .caused' Xerxes’ dismissal from the Point. CHAPTER V To say that Xerxes was shocked would be to state it mildly. He was stunned. To have had Curt Sawyer suddenly leap out of the past would have been enough. But to see him with his arm thrown affectionately around Constance Barteau’s shoulder was more than enough. Two emotions swept Xerxes. A blind unreasonable hatred of Curt Sawyer made his six-foot frame tremble, and as if by .some strange reflex his interest in Constance Bar­ teau leaped to monumental propor­ tions. Xerxes strode rapidly ‘to the doorway through which Sawyer and Constance had vanished. The door, set deep in a crude arch, was closed. Xerxes tried it savagely. It was barred from within. With an . instinctive gesture he half drew his service revolver. Then his mind cleared. One slio£ might precipi­ tate the unknown .{error the (Legion had been sent to throttle. An offi­ cer of the Legion, he could not let personal matters interfere with duty. Backing, off, he surveyed the building swiftly. It ran back from the street, was adjoined by several other huts, then was completely lost in a maze of As well look bit warren. His mind of confused -turned to camp. The hard, leathery faces of the Legionnaires lolling in the automatic rifle him a measure of The harsh voice of further helped him, Capt. .Berouge brought him back to normal with a invective. “Why do we quarters?” . the tably. “Why do they not at least give us word to let us know they are still in existence? tF'or all we know, this grave menace of which' they spoke may have captured all of Morrocco—all of Algeria—all of. France! Why in the name of Satan do they not .send us word of some kind? Are we to sit here like fools, roasting in this hellish sun, until we are slaughtered in our tracks?” Xerxes studied his mess plate in silence a moment. Of 'Curt 'Sawyer, he dared not speak. That would be coming too dose to a past he wished with all his soul to keep hidden. “I* was in Tlaba’ this afternoon, captain,” Xerxes began. “And.. . .” “Ah, yes,” lieutenant!” Berouge fixed him with a baleful glare. “The charming American girl of whom you spoke so glowingly yes­ terday, no doubt. You are taking grave r,isks in leaving the camp.” Xerxes squirmed uneasily on his camp stool. He knew Berouge was right. more score. “Yes, lieutenant,” nodded, his boyish grave. “The captain I have another look medinas—those pig damnable hell pot,” Berouge snap­ ped testily. “Tell me, did you see and Chleuhs chatting with Eastern and Chleuhs chatting with Eeastern Berbers in Tlaba this afternoon, as you did yesterday?” Xerxes frowned, “No, by George, I didn’t,” he grunted. “Not a Tuou- reg, and not a regular hillman. They’re completely gone,” ’ “Where did they vanish so quick­ ly?” Berouge demanded, fidgeting unhappily. “That makes no sense either, by the dogs of the devil! I warn you, gentlemen, ,a nasty mess is brewing fight under our noses!” For the moment, his hatred of Curt Sawyer, his new, warm feel­ ing toward Constance Barteau and the -mystery of Sawyer’s unaccount­ able appearance in Tlaba were for­ gotten. Not a shot had been fired since the third company’s arrival. Not a hostile moye had been made, Indeed, no hostilities had even been hinted at, yet 'this was war. A quiet, 'deadly war that beat at men’s nerves like the insidious thud of a hidden tomtom. But withal, another uneventful night passed. From dusk until dawn there was not a hint of trouble. Nevertheless, Xerxes was taut and uneasy. For hours he tossed on his cot trying to solve the riddle of Curt Sawyer’s appearance in Tlaba i Noon mess was being .served next I day when a native boy, clad in a I remarkably new, clean jelleba pat­ tered up to the Legion camp with a note for Lt. Benedict. It was from Constance Barteau, Frugal of con­ tent, it said simply that she was sorry she would be unable to keep the rendezvous with the lieutenant that nfternoon. Xerxes hitched at his garrison ■belt angrily and penned a short note, which he handed to the wait­ ing youngster. The note all but ordered Constance to meet him at the cafe that evening, At one stroke he meant to find out what Curt Sawyer was doing in Tlaba, and just what he meant to Constance, “Take this to the lady with the fair skin, my brawny one,” he in­ structed the lad in guttural native syllables. “Do not fail, for if you do I shall see that all thy father’s goats die of bullets! Here!” He handed the lad a small coin, and the youngster vanished like smoke. That evening after Xerxes- put on his best form and prepared to Tlaba. Berouge, protesting fretfully, finally let him leave. Arriving at the cafe, Xerxes found to his considerable surprise that Constance was waiting for him. 'She smiled warmly, greeting him with outstretched hand. “I’m so sorry I had to postpone our meeting this afternoon,” she said, ana the warmth of her eyes made Xerxes’ .heart skip a beat despite the resolution he had made to ask her outright what she knew about Curt Sawyer. “You see,” she added, still smiling, “my brother had more shawls for me to inspect.” Xerxes suddenly found that speaking to her about Curt Sawyer was not going to he easy. “Oh, that’s -all right,” he said, and hesi­ tated lamely. Constance conversation fashion. “I know BEGIN PAVING IN ABOUT WEEK - Paying’operations on the six-milef stretch of highway No. 23 between Mitchell and Russeldale are about ready to start, according to IL E. Macpherson, Department of lligh- ways Divisional Engineer, Grading and other preparatory work has been completed and the contractors are preparing their paving plant to commence work. Preparations are also under way to start paving the Bluewater Highway section north of Amber­ ley to Kincardine, ^ Paving Jias been completed on No. 4 from Wingham the intersection of High- 9 about 18 miles', PASSED Anna peacefully at her home in Sarnia after a lengthy illness, Deceased was well-known in this community being the eldest daughter of the late Samuel and Miary Jane Smith, She spent her early life Funeral services were in Sarnia on Sunday, 1st, at 2.30 p.m. DuPlan, The .here, conducted September by Rev. Austin remains were taken to Walkerton on Monday for burial. She leaves to mourn her loss, her bereaved husband; one 'daughter, Audrey; two sisters, Mrs. W. Ait­ ken, Toronto; and Mrs. W. Web­ ber; and two brothers, Jim Smith, Washington, D.C., and Will, of town. Constance Barteau seemed sud­ denly panic-stricken Her face blanched and she stifled a fright­ ened gasp with her hands. Then, almost as if another girl stood in her place, she answered in a voice that was calm and steady. “Why—how do you know—? she began, then checked herself. “I—I had no idea you knew him?” she stammered. “Do you?” It was Xerxes’ turn to be taken aback. He stared 'down at her per­ plexedly .before replying. “Yes,” he said bitterly. “I know him. But that’s beside the point. How well do you know him, and —what does he mean to you? I saw you together* after you left me yesterday.” Constance started perceptibly, then caught herself. “You did?” she asked easily enough, but her eyes I Cornish-HamiSton Wilma Jean, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William A. Hamilton, Prom- arty, became the bride of -Mr, John Carlyle Cornish, Brucefleld, in an interesting double-ring ceremony conducted by Rev.( w., A. MacWil- Jiams in Cromarty Presbyterian Church, on Saturday, September 7, at 2 o’clock. Tall standards of gladioli formed a pretty setting for the wedding for which the mus­ ic was played by Mrs. C, Miller, The soloist, Miss June Murdoch, sang “Because” and “Always”, Given in marriage 'by her father, the bride wore a floor-length gown of Nottingham lace fashioned with fitted bodice and a full skirt ex­ tending to a slight train, The only trimming was a tiny frill around the high neckline, with puff sleeves and the hemline. She wore matching lace mittens and her fin­ ger-tip veil was caught by a halo. She carried a cascade bouquet of Better Time Roses. Miss Hazel Hamilton was her sister's maid-of-honor and Miss Betty Hunkin, Belmore, niece of the bride was junior bridesmaid. They were gowned in pink and blue organza respectively, styled similar to that of the bride and wore matching halo hats and mit­ tens. They carried pink Madam Butterfly roses. Rosanna Worden, niece of the bride, looked winsome in a frilled floor-length gown of Yellow taffeta and carried a nose­ gay of mauve sweetpeas. Mr. Allen Hill, cousdn ‘Of the groom, was best man and the ushers were Clifton Miller and Kenneth Scott. The reception was held on the lawn of the bride’s parents where the wedding luncheon was served to fifty guests -by Misses -Marion Hill, Mary Stapleton, Audrey Hun­ kin, Lorraine .Fowler and Annja Hamilton, with Mrs. Roy Brock and Miss Kathleen .Stapleton pour­ ing tea. For their wedding trip the bride and groom changed to matching gabardine brown- suits, the? bride wearing a corsage of white gar­ denias. were averted. ‘‘Well, you see She faltered an instant. ‘‘You my brother Raoul has known for a long while. And natur- when we met here in Tlaba and he have been going see, Curt ally Raoul around together,” “Then you met here!” Xerxes demanded, going on without wait­ ing for a reply. “W.hat’s Sawyer doing here in Tlaba—ten thousand miles from his father’s millions?” “What? Oh—!” IFor the infinit­ esimal part of a second fear blazed in the girl’s eyes, but Xerxes did not see it. She turned her head as sne spa'rred for time. “What’s he doing ■here?” she repeated. “Oh, just tour­ ing.” “Touring?” Xerxes snorted in­ credulously. “Touring alone, in a country where he might have a knife rammed through his fat throat at any turn in the road? I don’t believe it!” “Lieutenant!” Constance Barteau drew herself up angrily, her eyes flashing. “Are you inferring that The man who always looked nt the bright .side of things had the misfortune to suffer from burglars who raided his store. “But it could have been worse,” he said philosophically. “You see, I didn’t lose as much as I might have, for I had just finished marking down things fox’ the month-end sale. it 1 WM W. A J., Mk ■ J young La Rue eyes growing suggested that at those three „ _ sty down below Tlaba. I took a patrol down there and found . . “Yes,” Xerxes looked up “You found 'What, LaRue?” “Nothing,” the younger . ... shrugged. “Nothing, that is, bat the hoofprints of a hundred horses. Last night those mud. vil­ lages must have been swarming with riders.”' “Which way did their trail lead?” Xerxes demanded, “South,” iLaRue replied. “South, and west probably. Straight toward the hills of the Riff!” Xerxes sat up straight. “The Rif- fi?” he growled. “But that doesn’t' make sense, LaRue, old son.” “Nothing makes sense in this this- may seem—iwell, brazen, to say the least,” she said, “but I hope you won’t look at it that way.” She wavered a moment, .her dark eyes darting to the black, shadowy street outside the lighted arch of the cafe, as if she expected to see something there. “The town is—is so stuffy tqnight,” she said quickly. “Would you care to stroll out to the well near the edge of the sandhills? It’s glorious out there.” For the fraction of a second Xerxes meant to refuse. Then the spell of her eyes, her lips and her poised, vibrant figure overcame him. Her hand fell lightly on his arm’ “Sure,” he said with military bluntness. “Let’s go.” Constance led the way from the cafe. Following a tortuous, alley­ like street, they wound .between rows of miserable mud huts that seemed in the swiftly falling dark­ ness to’ be blended into one solid and straw. Abruptly from the edge of Backache-Kidneys Cry for Help Most people fail to recognise the soriousness of a bad back. Tho stitches, twitches, and twinges are bad enough and cause great suf­ fering, but back of tho backache and the cause of it all ia the dis­ ordered kidneys crying out a warn­ ing through the back. A pain in the back is the kidneys' cry for help. Go to their assistance. Get a box of Doan’s Kidney Pills. A remedy for backache and sick kidneys. “Doan's" are put up in an oblong grey box with our trade mark a "Maple Leaf” on the wrapper. Refuse substitutes. Get** Doan's." Ths T. MDbuxh Co, I4A, Toronto, On*. mass of mud they emerged town. Free of the aii' was clear chill of the < pades ahead reared their native well! the right the legion camp loomed blackly in the gloom of dusk. Moving forward until they were beneath -the palm trees, Xerxes and Constance stood side by side, the girl’s hand brushing the lieuten­ ant’s sleeve. Overhead (he deepen­ ing blue of the sky was already stippled with brilliant stars. An ef- feulgent glow burnished the tops o<f the eastern peaks, ja moment the imoon rolled up- over the zon, spilling its silver light into the wide desort valleys. breath- foul street odors, the and tinged With the desert night, A few a clump of date palms shaggy heads above a a quarter* of a mile to “Wonderful,” Constance , “Wonderful, isn’t it?” Tho sound of her voice Xerxes back to earth with There was something he know, and the quicker he found it out the better. “Miss Barteau,” he said abruptly, “I don’t wish to seem presuming, but— how well do you know Curt Sawyer?” “Oh, no! No!” hastily, realizing suddenly that he had been. “I didn’t mean that for you. Believe me I didn’t. It’s just that—well, I know Sawyer!” “Yes?” The girl's dark eyes were troubled and Xerxes sensed’ the tremor that ran through her supple body. “I know him, too,” she said. “I shouldn’t say it, I suppose, as he is my. brother’s friend, but I don’t like him. I— I despise him. But I can’t offend him— " of Raoul.” Xerxes turned and, stopping to reason, took the shoulders. She looked a half frightened gasp. “Do you mean that?” “He means' nothing to you? You —you despise him?” ' For a moment Constance stared up into Xerxes’ bronzed faejp, speechless. “Yes,” she said, and her throaty voice was vibrant with emotion, mean it. I hate him.” It may have been the moon, it may have been the deep age­ less mystery of the desert. Hot blood welled up into Xerxes' cheeks. He stooped and kissed Constance full on hei* red lips. She remained motionless an instant, then, lifting up on her toes, return­ ed the kiss. The stark, barren years fell from Xerxes like a cast-off cloak. The lingering ashes of the old were consumed in the living of this new love. “Constance,” he said, his voice ringing queerly in his own ears, “I —I’ve no right to tell you, 'but I—“ He stopped, floundering miserably, “Yes, I know—Xerxes,” Con­ stance finished for him, her body pressing gently against his, “( know, because I-—I believe’ I you, too,” His heart hammering at throat, Xerxes straightened, arms still around Constance, __ ho did so, an orahge .stab of flame slit the moonlit night from the top of a sandhill a hundred yards to the west. A sharp, rending crack shattered the deaih-like stillness, and a rifle bullet snatched Xerxes* kepi from his head. (Continued Next Week) Next' Week: Xerxes pausos to Woiider if porchanCe he Was led to the palm grove for the precise pur­ pose of this ambush. ‘I do love his his As ||||||till THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO’S growing gold . . . her largest cash crop . is tobacco. Its twenty-year development, from nothing to really something, has been due almost entirely to the phenomenal increase in flue-cured tobacco—the most valuable of the three types groivn here. The others are burley and dark-leaf. This year, a fourth type, cigar leaf—one thousand acres of it—opens rich, new Ontario possibilities. Tobacco is a delicate plant and a demanding one, needing Utmost watchfulness and even handmade encouragement during its complicated cure. Its cultivation means back-breaking, short-season work with high rewards for all concerned. Published by THE BREWING INDUSTRY (ONTARIO) A COBNKR ON TOBACCO The annual Ontario production of tobacco is about 97,000,000 pounds— its value around $30,000,000. In the • southwest corner of the province, some 90,000 acres are planted to it and the Ontario crop represents nine-tenths of the Dominion yield. 85 % of this is high-grade flue-cured—the lcss-care- fully-treated burley and dark-leaf making up the rests It is an industry ill which h few experts pre- pate the Scene for a sudden inrush by thousands of workers in the crucial har­ vest weeks.